Boris Johnson has given the final green light to extend Westfield London Shopping Centre and to build more than 1,300 homes.
The Mayor of London approved the £1 billion scheme yesterday (May 29), meaning the builders can now move in.
The famous 1.6 million sq ft shopping centre in White City will be home to a 230,000 sq ft flagship John Lewis department store and will include restaurants, cafes, office space, a children’s play space and a new leisure complex.
It is also expected the expansion will create around 6,700 permanent new jobs, with 600 of those being at the new four storey John Lewis.
Mr Johnson’s decision comes just under two months after Hammersmith and Fulham Council approved the plans to develop 800,000 sq ft of shops and leisure facilities in derelict land north of the current site, which includes the former White City Industrial Estate.
Developer, Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd, will build 1,347 homes on the site, including 162 affordable homes - 40 per cent of which will be social rented. The Mayor has said this number could increase subject to viability assessments.
He added: “Westfield has had a transformational impact on Shepherds Bush and White City, kickstarting widespread social and economic regeneration. This expansion will create thousands of much-needed new homes and jobs and ensure that the area remains one of west London’s leading shopping destinations for many years to come.”
The development will overlook a new 3.7 acre park called White City Green behind White City and Wood Lane underground stations.
It would connect the Westfield site with the approved BBC Television redevelopment plans to build 1,500 homes in the adjacent former Dairy Crest site .
Tim Harrison, head of format development at John Lewis, said: “This is very positive news. We look forward to bringing our offer closer to customers in West London. We will continue to work closely with Westfield during the next design stage and towards delivery of the shop for 2017.”
The development sits within the White City Opportunity Area – one of more than 30 areas designated by the Mayor with significant capacity for new housing, commercial and other development.
Building is due to begin later this year, with new shops opening in time for Christmas 2017.
